U.S. patent number 8,704,666 [Application Number 12/563,841] was granted by the patent office on 2014-04-22 for medical device interface customization systems and methods.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Covidien LP. The grantee listed for this patent is Clark R. Baker, Jr.. Invention is credited to Clark R. Baker, Jr..
United States Patent |
8,704,666 |
Baker, Jr. |
April 22, 2014 |
Medical device interface customization systems and methods
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to customization of
user interfaces for medical devices. According to certain
embodiments, patient monitors may include a device body designed to
interface with interchangeable and removable faceplates. The
faceplates may include input devices for controlling the patient
monitor. Further, the properties of the input devices, such as the
size, shape, labels, type, and location, may vary between
faceplates. Further, in certain embodiments, the faceplates may
include a memory for storing preferences associated with the user
interface.
Inventors: |
Baker, Jr.; Clark R. (Newman,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baker, Jr.; Clark R. |
Newman |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Covidien LP (Mansfield,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
43757207 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/563,841 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20110071368 A1 |
Mar 24, 2011 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/573.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
5/14551 (20130101); A61B 5/7475 (20130101); A61B
5/746 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
23/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Plastic Logic;http://www.plasticlogic.com/product.html; 2000. cited
by applicant .
First-Generation Electronic Paper Display from Phlips, Sony and E
Ink to be Used in New Electronic Reading Devices; E Ink
Corporation; 2005. cited by applicant .
Electronic Paper Displays; E Ink Corporation; 2005. cited by
applicant .
Segmented ePaper Displays; Innovating Display Solutions; SiPix;.
cited by applicant .
Active Matrix ePaper Displays; Innovating Display Solutions; SiPix.
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Zimmerman; Brian
Assistant Examiner: Lau; Kevin
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A patient monitor, comprising: a device body comprising one or
more medical device interfaces suitable for connection to a sensor
or to a therapy device; a display configured to display: patient
physiological data based on input received from the sensor or the
therapy device; and one or more user selectable interface options;
an electrical communication interface disposed in the device body;
and a faceplate configured to be coupled to the device body through
the electrical communication interface and comprising a memory
configured to receive user interface data from the device body and
store the one or more user selectable interface options, wherein
the faceplate is configured to transfer the one or more user
selectable interface options stored in the memory to the device
body through the electrical communication interface when the
faceplate is connected to the device body.
2. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the device body
comprises a physical attachment mechanism configured to secure the
faceplate to the device body and detaching the interchangeable
faceplate from the device body.
3. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the patient
physiological data comprises a plethysmographic waveform, an oxygen
saturation, a pulse rate, or combinations thereof.
4. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the one or more user
selectable interface options comprise alarm limits, an alarm
volume, or display formats for the patient physiological data, or
combinations thereof.
5. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the electrical
communication interface comprises one or more control interfaces
for receiving input signals from selectable inputs disposed on the
faceplate.
6. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the electrical
communication interface comprises a memory interface for reading
data from a memory disposed in the faceplate.
7. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the selectable inputs
comprise buttons, or knobs, or combinations thereof.
8. A patient monitoring system, comprising: a device body
comprising a medical device interface for receiving input related
to patient physiological data; a display configured to display the
patient physiological data and displaying a user interface for
controlling operation of the patient monitoring system; and one or
more faceplates each configured to be coupled to the device body
and each comprising a memory for receiving user interface data from
the device body and storing the user interface data.
9. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the display
comprises a touch screen, and wherein the display varies the
location of user selectable inputs on the touch screen based on the
user interface data received from the one or more faceplates.
10. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the one or
more faceplates each comprise a window that surrounds the display
upon attachment to the device body.
11. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the user
interface data comprises a unique identifier for at least one of
the interchangeable faceplates, and wherein the device body
comprises a memory configured to store user interface preferences
associated with the unique identifier.
12. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the user
interface data comprises user interface preferences specifying
alarm limits, display scales for the patient physiological data, or
display locations for the patient physiological data, or
combinations thereof.
13. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, comprising two or
more interchangeable faceplates each comprising selectable inputs
for manipulating the user interface, and wherein the selectable
inputs differ in at least one of size, type, or location between
the two or more interchangeable faceplates.
14. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, comprising a
processor configured to vary at least portions of the user
interface based on which faceplate of the one or more faceplates is
attached to the device body.
15. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the device
body comprises a first mechanical attachment mechanism and the one
or more faceplates each comprise a second mechanical attachment
mechanism configured to mate with the first mechanical attachment
mechanism to secure the one or more faceplates to the device
body.
16. The patient monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the device
body comprises a first electrical communication interface and the
one or more faceplates each comprise a second electrical
communication interface configured to connect with the first
electrical port to allow electrical communications between the one
or more faceplates and the device body.
17. A removable faceplate for a patient monitor, comprising: user
selectable input structures suitable for controlling operation of a
patient monitor; an electrical communication interface suitable for
allowing at least electrical communications between the user
selectable input structures and a complementary electrical
communication interface of the patient monitor, wherein the
electrical communication interface is configured to receive user
interface data related to an operation of the patient monitor from
the monitor; and a memory configured to store the user interface
data, wherein the user interface data is transmitted through the
electrical communication interface when the faceplate is attached
to the patient monitor.
18. The removable faceplate of claim 17, wherein the removable
faceplate is configured to mount to a front surface of the patient
monitor to allow access to a display of the patient monitor.
19. The removable faceplate of claim 17, comprising a window
configured to surround a display of the patient monitor and wherein
the user selectable input structures are configured to align with
menu options displayed on the display of the patient monitor.
20. The removable faceplate of claim 17, wherein the user interface
data comprises alarm limits, an alarm volume, or display formats
for the patient physiological data, or combinations thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to medical device user
interfaces, and, more particularly, to customizable medical device
user interfaces.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to aspects of the
art that may be related to various aspects of the present
disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This
discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with
background information to facilitate a better understanding of the
various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should
be understood that these statements are to be read in this light,
and not as admissions of prior art.
In the field of medicine, doctors often desire to monitor certain
physiological characteristics of their patients. Accordingly, a
wide variety of devices have been developed for monitoring many
such characteristics of a patient. Such devices provide doctors and
other healthcare personnel with the information they need to
provide the best possible healthcare for their patients. As a
result, such monitoring devices have become an indispensable part
of modern medicine.
Patient monitors include medical devices that facilitate
measurement and observation of patient physiological data. For
example, pulse oximeters are a type of patient monitor. A typical
patient monitor cooperates with a sensor to detect and display a
patient's vital signs (e.g., temperature, pulse rate, respiratory
rate) and/or other physiological measurements (e.g., water content
of tissue, blood oxygen level) for observation by a user (e.g.,
clinician). For example, pulse oximeters are generally utilized
with related sensors to detect and monitor a patient's functional
oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (i.e., SpO.sub.2) and
pulse rate. Other types of patient monitors, such as blood pressure
monitors, may be utilized to detect and monitor other physiological
parameters. Further, the patient monitors may be incorporated into
other types of medical devices, such as mechanical ventilators and
anesthesia machines, among others.
A patient monitor may include a screen that displays information
relating to operation and use of the patient monitor. A typical
patient monitor screen may display operational data that is
instructive and that facilitates operation of the monitor by a
user. For example, the operational data may include status
indicators and instructional data relating to the monitor itself
and/or monitor applications (e.g., a power indicator, an alarm
silenced icon, and a battery low indicator). The screen may also
display measurement data from a patient being monitored. For
example, the measurement data may include information relating to a
physiological feature of the patient being monitored. Specifically,
the screen may display a graph or trend (e.g., a pulse rate trend,
and/or a plethysmographic waveform) of data relating to particular
measured physiological parameters.
A patient caretaker may navigate through various screens of a
patient monitor using input devices, such as buttons, to view
operational data and/or to change operating parameters, such as
alarm limits, of the patient monitor. Further, the input devices
may be used to customize operational aspects of the patient
monitor, such as alarm volume, alarm duration, or display scales.
Individual patient caretakers may desire different types of user
interfaces and/or may prefer different operating parameters.
However, patient monitors may be shared by several patient
caretakers, which may limit customization.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Advantages of the disclosure may become apparent upon reading the
following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings
in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a patient monitor
with an interchangeable faceplate;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the patient monitor of FIG. 1 with
the interchangeable faceplate removed;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the patient monitor
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
interchangeable faceplate attached to a patient monitor;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handheld patient
monitor with an interchangeable faceplate;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
interchangeable faceplate attached to a handheld patient
monitor;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment an interchangeable
faceplate attached to a patient monitor employing a touch screen;
and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
interchangeable faceplate attached to a patient monitor employing a
touch screen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of
these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are
described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in
the development of any such actual implementation, as in any
engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific
decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals,
such as compliance with system-related and business-related
constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another.
Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort
might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for
those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
The present disclosure relates to customization of user interfaces
for medical devices, such as patient monitors. According to certain
embodiments, the patient monitors may include a device body
designed to interface with interchangeable and removable
faceplates. The faceplates may include input devices for
controlling the patient monitor. Further, the properties of the
input devices, such as the size, shape, labels, type, and location,
may vary between faceplates. For example, certain faceplates may
include arrow buttons for selecting between menu options and
operating parameters while other faceplates include knobs for
performing these functions. Accordingly, a caretaker may customize
the user interface of a patient monitor by selecting and attaching
a faceplate that has the desired input device configuration.
Further, instead of or in addition to, including input devices, the
faceplates may include a memory for storing preferences associated
with the user interface. For example, the memory may store user
interface preferences for the patient monitor, such as alarm
limits, the alarm volume, the default trend view, the display
layout, the preferred language, and the default display scale,
among others. Upon connection of a faceplate to the device body,
the patient monitor may apply the user interface preferences stored
in the faceplate. Accordingly, a caretaker may customize user
interface settings for the patient monitor by attaching a faceplate
with the desired preferences stored within a memory of the
faceplate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a patient monitor
10. For example, the patient monitor 10 may be a pulse oximeter,
such as those available from Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC of
Boulder, Colo. As shown, the patient monitor 10 is a pulse oximeter
designed to detect and monitor blood oxygen saturation levels,
pulse rate, and so forth. However, in other embodiments, the
configurable user interfaces may be employed in other types of
patient monitors, such as vital signs monitors, critical care
monitors, obstetrical care monitors, or blood pressure monitors,
among others. Further, the patient monitor 10 may be part of a
therapeutic medical device, such as a mechanical ventilator, or
anesthesia machine, among others.
The patient monitor 10 may include a removable and interchangeable
faceplate 12 that may be coupled to a body 14 of the patient
monitor 10. The faceplate 12 may include several selectable inputs
16 that may be actuated by a caretaker to operate the patient
monitor 10. For example, the selectable inputs 16 may include
buttons that may be pressed to change information shown on a
display 18. In certain embodiments, the display 18 may include a
cathode ray tube or liquid crystal display. Moreover, the display
18 may include an optional touch screen. In general, the display 18
may show processed physiological data and/or other data received
through a medical device interface, such as a cable connection port
22, from a patient sensor 20, or other suitable medical device,
such as a therapy device. As shown, the medical device interface 22
includes a cable connection port. However, in other embodiments,
the medical device interface 22 may any suitable type of interface
for connecting to a medical device. For example, in certain
embodiments, the medical device interface 22 may include a wireless
interface.
For example, the display 18 may be used to display a
plethysmographic ("pleth") waveform 24, an oxygen saturation 26,
and/or a pulse rate 28. The oxygen saturation 26 may be a
functional arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation measurement
displayed as units of percentage SpO.sub.2. The pulse rate 28 may
indicate a patient's pulse rate in beats per minute. The display 18
also may be used to show topic-specific screens related to the
physiological data, such as a "blip" display that includes pulse
amplitude blips, a real-time trend display, and an alarm limit and
monitoring mode display. Moreover, the display 18 may be used to
display user interface options, such as a setup and/or
configuration screen for adjusting parameters such as alarm volume,
display scales, and button sizes and locations, among others.
In addition to displaying physiological information, the patient
monitor 10 may also display information related to alarms and
monitor settings on the display 18. For example, in some
embodiments, the patient monitor 10 may employ SatSeconds.TM. by
Nellcor.TM. to detect alarms and manage nuisance alarms.
SatSeconds.TM. may include activation of an alarm based on limits
that may include the integral of time and depth of a desaturation
event and may include an indicator 30 that may serve to inform the
caretaker that an SpO.sub.2 reading has been detected outside of
the limit settings. The display may also include an alarm status
indicator (not shown), such as a bell that flashes when an alarm
condition is present. One of the input devices, such as an alarm
silence button 32, may be actuated to silence the alarm and display
an alarm silence indicator (not shown), such as a slash and a
timer, on the display 18. The display 18 also may show mode setting
information describing a specific mode to which the alarm limits
are set. For example, the display 18 may show an indicator 34 that
informs a caretaker that neonatal alarm limits are currently
applied rather than adult alarm limits. In another example, the
display 18 may show an indicator 36 that informs a caretaker that
the patient monitor 10 is operating in a fast alarm response mode
rather than a normal alarm mode.
In general, the selectable inputs 16 may be used to control
operating functions of the patient monitor 10. The selectable
inputs 16 may include fixed function keys, such as the alarm
silence button 32, arrow keys 38, a contrast selection key 40, and
a power key 42. For example, the arrow keys 38 may be actuated to
adjust alarm limits and/or to vary the physiological information
shown on the display 18. In another example, the contrast selection
key 40 may be actuated to adjust the contrast of the display 18.
Further, the fixed function keys may be programmed to control
multiple functions or to operate in different manners based upon
various factors, such as the duration the key is pressed, the
simultaneous activation of other keys, and so forth. For example,
an arrow key 38 may be configured to scroll upwards or downwards
more rapidly based upon how long the respective key is held
down.
The monitor 10 also may include programmable function keys ("soft
keys") 44, and associated soft key icons in the soft key menu 46.
Each of the four soft keys 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d may be pressed to
select a corresponding function indicated by the respective soft
key icon. For example, the soft key 44a may be pressed to display
"LIMITS" information, while the soft key 44b may be pressed to
display a "TREND" information. In certain embodiments, the soft
keys 44 may be programmed to display operating information such as
alarm limits, historic trends, setup menus, and alarm volume
settings, among others. Moreover, a caretaker may actuate the soft
keys 44 to display various operating menus, and then may use the
arrow keys 38 to adjust operating parameters. Further, in certain
embodiments, a caretaker may navigate through the user interface of
the patient monitor 10 using the soft keys 44 and the fixed
function keys (e.g., 32 and 38) to set user preferences that may be
stored within the faceplate 12.
In addition to the selectable inputs 16, the faceplate 12 may
include various indicators 48 (e.g., indicator lights and display
screen graphics) that facilitate operation of the monitor 10 and
observation of a patient's physiological metrics (e.g., pulse
rate). Some of the indicators 48 are specifically provided to
facilitate monitoring of a patient's physiological parameters. For
example, the indicators 48 may include representations of the most
recently measured values for SpO.sub.2, pulse rate, and pulse
amplitude. Other indicators 48 may be specifically provided to
facilitate operation of the monitor 10. For example, the indicators
48 may include an A/C power indicator, a low battery indicator, an
alarm silence indicator, a mode indicator, and so forth. The
faceplate 12 also includes a speaker 50 for emitting audible
indications (e.g., alarms). In certain embodiments, the speaker 50
and/or the display 18 may be included within the body 14 and the
faceplate 12 may include a window, cover, or the like, that permits
access to the speaker 50 and/or the display 18. However, in other
embodiments, the speaker 50 and/or the display 18 may be included
within the faceplate 12.
Multiple caretakers may be responsible for a patient's care, and
accordingly, several different caretakers may operate the patient
monitor 10. For example, nurses may rotate based on hospital
shifts. Further, the patient monitor 10 may be employed in
different environments, such as a patient's hospital room, a
patient's home, or an operating room. Depending on the environment,
various user interfaces may be desired. For example, in an
operating room, it may be desirable to include larger buttons that
facilitate operation with gloves. In another example, in a home
environment, it may be desirable to disable certain adjustment
features. In yet another example, a left handed user may prefer
that the arrows 38 and the alarm silence button 32 be included on
the left hand side of the display 18 to reduce blockage of the
display 18 during actuation of the buttons 32 and 38. Further,
certain caretakers may prefer different types of selectable inputs
16, such as knobs, wheels, or larger buttons, among others.
Accordingly, the faceplate 12 may be detachable from the body 14 to
allow different faceplates to be mounted on the patient monitor 10.
Specifically, the faceplate 12 may be coupled to the body 14 by an
attachment mechanism 52 that may be actuated to remove and attach
different faceplates 12. Each faceplate 12 may include different
types of selectable inputs 16. For example, in certain embodiments,
the size, shape, locations, and/or labels for the selectable inputs
16 may vary. Further, some or all of the selectable inputs 16 may
include different types of inputs, such as knobs, buttons, slide
bars, joysticks, and/or wheels, among others. Moreover, the labels,
symbols, and/or types of indicators 48 may vary.
FIG. 2 depicts the faceplate 12 removed from the device body 14 to
reveal an interior surface 54 of the faceplate 12 that may be
disposed against a front surface 56 of the device body 14. As shown
in FIG. 2, the faceplate 12 may be physically attached to the body
14 by the use of connectors 58 and 60 that may mechanically couple
together to form the attachment mechanism 52 shown in FIG. 1.
Specifically, the connector 58 may include a clip designed to fit
within a corresponding slot of the connector 60. Although not
shown, additional pairs of the connectors 58 and 60 may be included
on other sides of the device 14 and faceplate 12. Further, in other
embodiments, other types of connectors 58 and 60, such as pins,
brackets, or the like, may be employed.
In addition to being mechanically fastened to the device body 14,
the faceplate 12 may be electrically coupled to the body 14 by
electrical communication interfaces 62 and 64. Specifically, the
device body 14 may include an electrical communication interface or
receptacle 62 designed to mate with an electrical communication
interface or plug 64 of the faceplate 12. In certain embodiments,
the plug 64 may include electrical pin connections designed to fit
within corresponding holes of the receptacle 62. However, in other
embodiments, any suitable type of electrical communication
interfaces 62 and 64 may be employed, such as, wire harnesses and
plugs, or wireless connections, among others. When coupled to one
another, the electrical communication interfaces 62 and 64 may
enable electrical communications between the faceplate 12 and the
body 14. For example, when an input is selected on the faceplate
12, a corresponding signal may be sent through the communication
interfaces 62 and 64 to the device body 14.
The faceplate 12 also includes windows or openings 66, 68, and 70
that facilitate access to components included on the front surface
56 of the device body 14. Specifically, a window 66 may be designed
to surround and allow access to the display 18. Another window 68
allows access to the medical device interface 22. Further, a vent
70 permits functionality of the speaker 50.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the embodiment of the patient monitor
10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The patient monitor 10 includes the
faceplate 12 and the body 14 coupled to one another through the
electrical communication interfaces 62 and 64. The faceplate 12
also includes control circuitry 72 that may route signals from the
selectable inputs 16 to the electrical communication interface 64
for transmission to the device body 14. For example, the control
circuitry 72 may include electrical circuits and components for
transmitting signals between the selectable inputs 16 and the
electrical communication interface 64. Moreover, in certain
embodiments, the control circuitry 72 may include microprocessors
and/or related chip sets, an interface board, and an analogue and
digital converter, among others. Further, the electrical
communication interface 64 may include one or more control
interfaces for receiving input signals from the selectable inputs
16 via the electrical communication interface 62.
The faceplate 12 also may include a memory 74. The memory 74 may
include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and/or
non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), and the like.
In certain embodiments, the memory may store data representing user
interface preferences 76. For example, the preferences 76 may
include preferred display formats for the patient physiological
data, such as display views (e.g., whether a pleth waveform or a
blip bar is shown), default trend displays (e.g., whether the trend
display defaults to a oxygen saturation display, a pulse rate
display, a dual display, or a histogram), the display scale (e.g.,
the time range or amplitude range for the pleth waveform), and the
display locations (e.g., where the physiological data is located on
the display 18). The preferences 76 also may include preferred
operating parameters, such the pulse beep volume, the alarm volume
and/or duration, the alarm limits, and the response mode, among
others. Further, the preferences 76 may include preferred user
interface display formats, such as the preferred display language,
icon size or symbol set, and the size of display areas and/or
buttons (e.g., touch-sensitive button locations and/or sizes in
embodiments employing a touch screen), among others.
According to certain embodiments, the preferences 76 also may
specify the location of components of the user interface on the
display 18. As noted above, each faceplate 12 may include different
numbers, sizes, shapes, types, and/or locations of selectable
inputs 16. The preferences 76 may specify the text and/or the
location of labels on the display 18 that correspond to the
selectable inputs 16. For example, the preferences 76 may identify
the location and/or labels for the soft key menu 46 shown in FIG.
1. Further, the preferences 76 may ensure that the selectable
inputs 16 align with the menu options shown on the display 18.
The preferences 76 may be entered by a user through the faceplate
12, for example, by navigating through menus using the selectable
inputs 16. Upon entry, a user may save the preferences 76 to the
memory 74. The preferences 76 may then be stored within the memory
74 and transmitted through the control circuitry 72 to the device
body 14 upon attachment of the faceplate 12. For example,
electrical communication interface 62 of the device body 14 may
include a memory interface for reading the preference data from the
memory 74 of the faceplate 12 via the electrical communication
interface 64.
As shown, the preferences 76 are stored within the memory 74 of the
faceplate 12. However, in other embodiments, the preferences 76 may
be stored within a memory 78 of the device body 14. For example, in
certain embodiments, the faceplate 12 may transmit a unique
identifier, such as a serial number stored within the memory 74, to
the device body 14 upon attachment of the faceplate 12. Upon
receiving the unique identifier, the device body 14 may retrieve
preferences associated with the unique identifier from the memory
78 of the device body 14. The memory 78 also may store various
screens, templates, layers, and the like that may shown on the
display 18 as part of the user interface for the patient monitor
10.
In certain embodiments, the device body 14 may apply the
preferences 76 in response to detecting connection of the faceplate
12. The device body 14 generally includes a microprocessor 80
connected to an internal bus 82. In certain embodiments, the
microprocessor 80 may detect connection of the faceplate 12 through
the electrical communication interface 62. The microprocessor 80
may then operate the patient monitor 10 based on the preferences
76. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the microprocessor 80 may
select certain screens of the user interface based on the
preferences 76 received from the faceplate 12. For example, the
microprocessor 80 may select screens with appropriate labels,
icons, and the like that correspond to the types, positions, and
numbers of the input devices 16 included in the faceplate 12.
In addition to the memory 78, the display 18, and the communication
interface 62, a sensor interface 84 also may be connected to the
bus 82. The sensor interface 84 may allow the device 14 to
communicate with and receive physiological data from the sensor 20
(FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the sensor interface 84 may
include components, such as a decoder for decoding signals from the
sensor, algorithms or lookup tables for identifying physiological
parameters, drive circuits, and signal-processing equipment, such
as filters, analog to digital converters, amplifiers, queued serial
modules, and time processing units, among others.
In general, the sensor interface 84 may be designed to receive
input from the sensor 20 and transmit signals to the microprocessor
80 in a form that the microprocessor may use to calculate and/or to
determine physiological parameters, for example, based on
algorithms or look-up tables stored in the memory 78. In certain
embodiments, the microprocessor 80 may use the information from the
sensor interface 84 to determine physiological parameters, such as
SpO.sub.2, pulse rate, respiratory effect, and so forth. The
physiological parameters may then be displayed on the display 18.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the physiological parameters, such
as the pleth waveform 24, the pulse rate 28, and the oxygen
saturation 26, may be shown on the display 18.
FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of a faceplate 86 that may be
coupled to a device body 14. The faceplate 86 may include the
electrical communication interface 64, the control circuitry 72,
and the memory 74 as shown in FIG. 3. However, as may generally be
seen by comparing FIGS. 1 and 4, the configuration of the
selectable inputs 16 included in the faceplate 86 of FIG. 4 may be
different from the configuration of the selectable inputs 16
included in the faceplate 12 of FIG. 1. Specifically, as shown in
FIG. 1, the alarm silence button 32 and the arrows 38 are located
on the right-hand side of the monitor 10 while the indicators 48
are located on the left-hand side of the monitor 10. The faceplate
86, as shown in FIG. 4, reverses the positions of these selectable
inputs 16 and indicators 48. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the
buttons 32 and 38 are located on the left-hand side of the monitor
10 while the indicators 48 are located on the right-hand side of
the monitor 10. In certain embodiments, the faceplate 86 may be
designed to facilitate use by a left-handed user by allowing a user
to select the buttons 32 and 38 without reaching across the display
18.
In other embodiments, other types of faceplates may be employed to
allow further customization of the patient monitor 10. For example,
faceplates may be used to change the locations of the selectable
inputs 16, the sizes of the selectable inputs 16, the types of the
selectable inputs 16, and/or the symbols shown on the selectable
inputs 16, as well as the locations, sizes, end symbols for the
indicators 48. Moreover, in certain embodiments, individual
caretakers may each possess their own faceplate, allowing each
caretaker to select a preferred configuration of selectable inputs
16 and/or to store their selected preferences 76 in their own
faceplate.
FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a patient monitor 90, in this
case a handheld patient monitor 90. The patient monitor includes a
faceplate 92 coupled to a device body 94 by an attachment
mechanism, such as a clip 96. The clip 96 may allow the faceplate
92 to be removed and attached to the device body 94. Similar to the
faceplate 12, the faceplate 92 may include the electrical
communication interface 64, the control circuitry 72, and the
memory 74. Further, the faceplate 92 may be electrically coupled to
the device body 94 by connecting the electrical communication
interface 64 of the faceplate 92 to a complementary electrical
communication interface 62 of the device body 94.
The faceplate 92 shows the oxygen saturation 26, the pulse rates
28, and a blip bar 98 on the display 18. The blip bar 98 may
generally display a pulse amplitude of the pleth waveform. The
faceplate 92 also may include selectable inputs 16, such as a menu
button 100 that may be used to display setup menus, alarm limit
menus, trend menus, and the like, on the display 18. The selectable
inputs 16 also may include the alarm silence button 32, the arrow
keys 38, the power button 42, a data button 102 that may be used to
print or save values shown on the display 18, and a backlight
button 104 that may be selected to adjust or light up the display
18.
In order to customize the interface of the patient monitor 90, the
faceplate 92 may be interchanged with other faceplates, such as a
faceplate 105 shown in FIG. 6. The faceplate 105 includes the alarm
silence button 32, the data button 102, the backlight button 104,
and the power button 42. However, instead of the arrow buttons 38,
a knob 106 has been included on the faceplate 105. Specifically,
the knob 106 includes a circular structure that may be rotated to
increase or decrease values shown on the display 18. The menu
button 100 also has been increased in size to accommodate a user
who prefers a larger size button.
The interchangeable faceplates described herein also may be
employed in patient monitors that include a touch screen. For
example, as shown in FIG. 7, a patient monitor 108 includes a
faceplate 110 with a window 111 designed to allow access to a touch
screen 112. The touch screen 112 may allow a caregiver to select
touch sensitive inputs 114, 116, and 118, shown on the touch screen
112. Specifically, the touch sensitive inputs may be included on a
screen 123 of a graphical user interface of the patient monitor
108. The screen 123 may show the pleth waveform 24, the oxygen
saturation 26, and the pulse rate 28 in addition to the inputs 114,
116, and 118.
Instead of, or in addition to, using the selectable inputs 16 shown
in FIG. 1, a user may control operation of the patient monitor 108
by selecting the touch sensitive inputs 114, 116, and 118. For
example, a user may select the soft key icons 114 to access
corresponding menus. A user may then navigate through the menus by
selecting the arrow icons 116. In another example, a user may
silence an alarm by selecting the alarm silence icon 118.
The faceplate 112 also includes the memory 74 (FIG. 3) that may
store preferences 76 (FIG. 3) for the caregiver. For example, the
preferences 76 may specify the types, sizes, locations, and symbols
for the touch sensitive inputs 114, 116, and 118. In another
example, the preferences 76 may specify alarm limits, display
preferences, and trend views, among other preferences. In other
embodiments, the preferences 76 may be stored within the memory 78
(FIG. 3) of the device body 14 and accessed using a unique
identifier of the faceplate 110.
The faceplates described herein also may allow users to customize
selectable inputs 16 for use with patient monitors employing touch
screens. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, another embodiment of a
faceplate 124 includes a window 125 designed to allow access to a
portion of the touch screen 112. The remaining portion of the touch
screen 112, previously occupied by the touch sensitive inputs 116
and 118, shown in FIG. 7, may be covered by a physical knob 132.
The knob 132 may be designed for users that prefer physical
manipulation of alarm limits to manipulation of touch screen arrows
116 (FIG. 7). To accommodate the physical knob 132, the display
area of the touch screen 112 may be reduced in size to show a
screen 134 that only occupies the visible area provided by the
window 125. The screen 134 includes a touch sensitive menu icon 136
that may be actuated by a user to show various operating menus
and/or setup menus. The screen 134 also includes an alarm silence
touch sensitive icon 138 that may be actuated to silence
alarms.
As may be appreciated, the faceplates describe above with respect
to FIGS. 1-8 may be employed with displays with or without touch
screens. Furthermore, any combination of the faceplate features
described herein may be employed. Moreover, the relative sizes,
shapes, numbers, and geometries of the faceplate features, such as
the indicator lights, the selectable inputs 16, the touch sensitive
inputs, the displays, and the windows, may vary.
* * * * *
References